Cancer Care at Lutheran Medical Center

Cancer may make you feel like you’ve lost control. We’ll put you back in charge of your life with proven therapies and the latest science and keep you close to home and the people who help you stay strong.

Lutheran offers the choices in treatment and technology delivered with a personal touch. From the moment you’re diagnosed, you’ll have a dedicated, caring team focused on your needs.

It starts with a screening to learn about the stresses you’re feeling – from concerns about treatments or side effects to worries about financial burdens or transportation. From there, we make a plan to address each concern so you can focus on the business of getting well.

Supporting patients and families

We know that life is busy and you need us to help you navigate your cancer journey. From making your first screening appointment, to understanding your cancer diagnosis, to treatment and beyond, our patient navigators are here to guide you every step of the way.

Cancer services and treatments

Our comprehensive services for cancer begin with prevention and screening. To detect and monitor cancer, we offer advanced technology, including:

Tomosynthesis (3-D mammography) – Provides a more complete picture of the breast and can better reveal early-stage or hard-to-find cancers

A 64-slice PET/CT scan – Enables radiologists to see a more accurate picture of abnormal cell growth

Our team of cancer specialists creates personalized treatment plans for every patient. Your plan may include one or a combination of these approaches:

Nationally accredited for quality of care

Lutheran Medical Center has earned the American College of Surgeon’s Commission on Cancer Accreditation since 1983. This accreditation is only granted to facilities that voluntarily commit to provide the best in cancer diagnosis and treatment and that comply with all the Commission on Cancer standards. Lutheran Medical Center also achieved the organization’s National Accreditation Program for Breast Cancers, which recognizes our dedication to evidence-based standards of excellence.

What to expect

From the little things, like convenient parking and an on-site laboratory and pharmacy, to the biggest, like the latest treatments and technologies, we work to support your needs so you can focus on one thing: getting better. We recognize and respect individual differences and preferences and tailor treatment and services to your unique situation. This includes integrative therapies such as acupuncture and massage, spiritual care and stress management.

We also partner with home care providers. If circumstances warrant, we provide compassionate end-of-life care focused on your comfort and quality of life.

Our cancer team

As a top center for clinical trials with the Colorado Cancer Research Program, Lutheran is home to a cancer care team with highly specialized expertise – including nurses with national certification in oncology. Each patient is empowered and encouraged to be an active participant and share in decision making about their care. You’ll receive individualized care from a team that feels like family. We also have a dedicated resource library for you and your loved ones’ use.

Navigating through the process

From support groups to financial assistance, our teams are readily available to help you navigate your cancer care and makes sense of what can be overwhelming and complex. Breast cancer navigators call patients within 12 hours of diagnosis to provide support and walk through next steps.

Hear from patients who’ve been there

Lutheran Medical Center has a full-time, board-certified genetic counselor on staff. We’ll refer you for testing if your cancer appears to be genetically related and expedite your results so you and your family can get answers to important questions.

Lutheran offers two LANA-certified therapists to treat upper and lower limb edema. Lymphedema is a chronic, painful swelling that may occur after surgery where lymph nodes are removed. Although there’s no cure for lymphedema, steps can be taken to reduce and relieve symptoms.

Our healing therapies include meditation and stress reduction during treatment, as well as nutrition classes. We collaborate with other therapies within the hospital to offer jewelry-making (art therapy), mindfulness, yoga, pet therapy, healing touch and massage, and acupuncture.

We aim to make patients as comfortable as possible. While palliative care may be a part of end-of-life care, it can also benefit patients at any stage of cancer treatment. It is a medical specialty and philosophy of care for chronically ill patients that focuses on relief from pain and symptoms. Our services focus on improving quality of life, helping with decision-making and providing emotional support to patients and their families.

Palliative care is a medical specialty focused on treating discomfort, stress and symptoms associated with serious illnesses, particularly chronic or life-limiting ones. Palliative care can be provided along with other treatments designed to help you get better, or it may be considered when such treatments are no longer desired or effective. The goal of palliative care is to improve your quality of life, help you live as actively as possible during treatment and provide support to you and your caregivers.

Lutheran Medical Center offers support groups for all cancer patients and their families. You can join one even if you were treated for cancer elsewhere. Many groups include long-term survivors who are a source of insight and encouragement.

Once you’ve completed cancer treatment, you face a new set of challenges as a survivor. You may need support for emotional issues or new ways to relating to family, co-workers and loved ones. You’ll want to take extra care of your health and possibly make lifestyle changes to lower your risk of recurrence.

Our survivorship care planning program can help you meet these challenges. This program begins when treatment ends and can include your family, friends and caregivers. You’ll receive support through follow-up visits with cancer care experts, who will help you maintain and improve your health and wellness and work with oncologists and other team members to provide comprehensive care after treatment.

SCL Health is an equal opportunity employer. All recruiting, training, and employment decisions are made in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, handicap, military or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

Our facilities do not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, or age in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services or activities, or on the basis of sex (gender) in health programs and activities. Read the full notice: Lutheran Medical Center Notice of Nondiscrimination